Daily healthcare costs

[SomeRandom]

This is more for my own curiosity about the US specifically
But anyone can participate, I don’t really care.
So, if you’re comfortable sharing, what are some “routine” costs that you have encountered for your healthcare?
Routine as in checkups, perhaps emergencies, surgeries, medication, vaccinations or really anything that brought you into your local GP or hospital?
And I guess for Americans your premiums and insurance costs and whatever else.
Any health costs really.

Like for instance a routine check up for me at my chosen GP would be 70 AUD, after which I would receive 35 AUD back as per our Medicare system. I think there’s other “discounts” for pensioners and the disabled. But I could be wrong

Under a system we call “bulk billing” all visits to any doctors offering the service, all public hospitals or ERs are automatically recorded and depending on the situation, will be waved away. Meaning the taxes cover for it instead. (Tbh this is mainly for consults, hospital stays, surgery or emergencies. Like I needed a medical certificate for my work after having much of the week off, calling in sick. So I spent like 5 minutes at a walk in public clinic and didn’t have to pay anything for my “quickie exam.” And I got my cert!)

So discuss as you please

 

[paradox]

So, if you’re comfortable sharing, what are some “routine” costs that you have encountered for your healthcare?

I'm not American but in my country health care is for the most part of it free, optionally I pay cca. $30 per month for additional benefits which cover all possible expenses such as hospital, surgery, medicine etc.
There are exceptions such as very rare illnesses for which medicine is very expensive or medicine which the healthcare doesn't cover or specific surgeries such as plastic surgery for which one must pay, but beside these exceptions it's all free.

I can go to doctor for what ever problem as many times as needed with no costs.

 

[Sirona]

In Germany, you are automatically covered by state health insurance if you are employed, receive a state pension, or receive unemployment benefits. In the case of employed persons and pensioners, approx. 15% of their income is automatically deducted. Until the 1990s, health care was free of charge. Then they introduced a fee of €10 every 3 months for a doctor's visit. This doctor, usually the family doctor, then issued free referrals, without which one could not get a specialist consultation. This regulation was abolished again, because apparently some people could not afford the 10 € and therefore did not go to the doctor. One rule that still exists is a co-payment for medication that amounts to 2% of the annual gross income, or 1% for chronically ill patients. Medicines usually have co-payments of 5 or 10 €, and you have to keep the bills until you reach the corresponding amount. Then you send the bills to the health insurance company, which issues a kind of certificate and covers any co-payments above that. To avoid bureaucracy , you can pay the co-payments in advance and receive the certificate at the beginning of the year.
If you have too much money, you can of course take out additional private insurance (self-employed people are obliged to have private insurance), but then you have the problem that the more you use private insurance, the more your premiums will increase. From the age of 55, you can no longer change from private to public health insurance in order to avoid "free-riding".

 

[ChristineM]

I can provide 2 perspectives, the UK and France, sorry, no US.

In the UK healthcare is completely free at source. Doctors visits, hospital treatments etc. It's all paid for throughout your working life through National Insurance and tax which is deducted from your wage/salalry at source to fund the National Health Service.

There is the option to bypass the NHS and opt for private medicine, you presumably get a better and faster service. This is extra and National Insurance is still deducted.

Dental care is different, some years ago dentists were given the the chance to opt out of the NHS and most went into private practice. You may be lucky and still find a NHS dentist but they are few and far between.


In France the state pays between 15 and 85% of medical bills (less €1 admin fee) paid for through tax on income.

The rest is topped up from compulsory medical insurance of which there are several levels of cover from basic to extensive.

There are exceptions, certainly diseases are paid 100% by the state. This is known as ALD. Both hubby and myself qualify for ald. Hubby has had cancer so all treatments for that are free, i have arthritis so all ... Well you know what i mean. Not only is treatment for the disease covered but also other ancillary treatment.

Here are a few examples.

Before we qualified for ALD a reqular 3 monthly doctors visits which included several medical test, (BP, heart monitor etc) would cost €25. Now it's free, the doctor bills the state directly.

Hubbies cancer op was billed to the state, the cost €140,000. His followup radio therapy a further €18,000. Along with all transport costs which hubby had to document and send in invoices, to the tune of €9,500. These are ongoing as he has 6 monthly followups.

His whole cancer treatment has cost us €400 because he opted to have a DaVinci medical robot perform the op because it was less invasive and gave a better outcome. At the time the hire of the robot and technicians was not covered by the state.

Whenever we visit the doctor or our specialists we need blood tests. A few days before the visit we telephone the nurse who calls in to our house, takes the blood and gets it to the laboratory for testing. We are emailed the results the same day.

It used to cost €8.50 for the house visit and between €12 and €65 for the lab work depending on which tests are needed. ALD covers these tests.

Of course prior to out ALDs any money's we paid out was refunded.

 

[SomeRandom]

Dental care is different, some years ago dentists were given the the chance to opt out of the NHS and most went into private practice. You may be lucky and still find a NHS dentist but they are few and far between.

Funnily enough, we have a similar situation. (Although maybe that shouldn’t be surprising since our model is pretty much based off the NHS with maybe a few differences in some states here and there.)
For some reason in the past, Dentists were allowed to opt out of the public system completely. So they’re mostly found in the private sector. With the occasional “public butcher” as we call them, offering free or at least cheap services to the community.
(Though I’m fairly sure that any dental surgery that is deemed medically necessary can still be covered by taxes, if it’s severe enough.)
In saying that though, many cheap or even free options still exist for school aged children and likely the elderly and disabled. Well in my state anyway

There have been many attempts and arguments to put at least some dentistry features on our public system over the years
I can only assume something similar has occurred in the UK over time?

 

[Sirona]

I forgot that in Germany, you have to pay a 10 € fee a day for every day in hospital, up to 280 € per year. But this sum also counts as part of the 1% / 2% of your annual gross income, so if you already reached the sum there are no further co-payments to make.

As for dentists, treatment of cavities with amalgam is free of charge. If you want better treatment, such as plastic or ceramic fillings or gold, you have to pay the additional sum which goes beyond basic care. If you need dentures, the health insurance pays 50% of the costs. However, there is a so-called "bonus booklet", which is for documenting regular visits to the dentist (once a year for adults and twice a year for teenagers over 12). If regular dental visits have been documented in the bonus booklet for 5 or 10 years, the subsidy from the health insurance increases to 70% / 75%.

 

[Estro Felino]

I forgot that in Germany, you have to pay a 10 € fee a day for every day in hospital, up to 280 € per year. But this sum is also counts as part of the 1% / 2% of your annual gross income, so if you already reached the sum there are no further co-payments to make.

As for dentists, treatment of cavities with amalgam is free of charge. If you want better treatment, such as plastic or ceramic fillings or gold, you have to pay the additional sum which goes beyond basic care. If you need dentures, the health insurance pays 50% of the costs. However, there is a so-called "bonus booklet", which is for documenting regular visits to the dentist (once a year for adults and twice a year for teenagers over 12). If regular dental visits have been documented in the bonus booklet for 5 or 10 years, the subsidy from the health insurance increases to 70% / 75%.

Here in Italy hospitalization is completely free regardless of the patient's annual income (we are speaking of public hospitals, not private ones).
People already pay lots of taxes, especially the rich, so it is normal they too pay zero euros, as for healthcare.

As for dental care, you have to pay for them. For urgent treatments you pay a very affordable price, but as for reconstructions and similar, you have to pay for them.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Medical insurance for my wife and I is currently $8,248.80 per year.

 

[PureX]

Health insurance for just myself runs about $800 a month. Most of which was being paid for by my state's version of 'Obamacare'. I paid about $120 to $150 a month in fees for visits and medications.

I just recently had to sign up for Medicare and that cost me $180 a month but I don't think there will be as many usage fees. And I'm not sure yet what medications will cost me. Our system is extremely confusing so I won't know until I have to use the insurance what it will or won't cover.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

B$etween federal Medicare and my state retirement-provided insurance, I pay in the range of 150-200 USD a month for coverage (I'm not certain, because I'm in the process of shifting coverage under my state insurance). I do not have to pay copays with every appointment, but I do with medicines. Most tests are covered so no out-of-pocket. My prescriptions cost me about $1,300 a year, and there's a number of over the counter supplements/etc. that I take at my doctor's recommendation that amount to several hundred more dollars a year.

 

[sun rise]

I have "original" Medicare plus a supplemental. Medicare itself is $170/month and the supplemental just shy of $200/month

 

[Nakosis]

This is more for my own curiosity about the US specifically
But anyone can participate, I don’t really care.
So, if you’re comfortable sharing, what are some “routine” costs that you have encountered for your healthcare?
Routine as in checkups, perhaps emergencies, surgeries, medication, vaccinations or really anything that brought you into your local GP or hospital?
And I guess for Americans your premiums and insurance costs and whatever else.
Any health costs really.

Like for instance a routine check up for me at my chosen GP would be 70 AUD, after which I would receive 35 AUD back as per our Medicare system. I think there’s other “discounts” for pensioners and the disabled. But I could be wrong

Under a system we call “bulk billing” all visits to any doctors offering the service, all public hospitals or ERs are automatically recorded and depending on the situation, will be waved away. Meaning the taxes cover for it instead. (Tbh this is mainly for consults, hospital stays, surgery or emergencies. Like I needed a medical certificate for my work after having much of the week off, calling in sick. So I spent like 5 minutes at a walk in public clinic and didn’t have to pay anything for my “quickie exam.” And I got my cert!)

So discuss as you please

Just had a stint placed in my LAD. The cost was $110,000. The way our insurance is setup there is a maximum deductible we have to pay each year. Mine is $6000. I had already spent $4000 on previous medical expenses. So my cost was about $2000. However, any further medical expenses for the year is covered 100% by the insurance company.

 

[SomeRandom]

B$etween federal Medicare and my state retirement-provided insurance, I pay in the range of 150-200 USD a month for coverage (I'm not certain, because I'm in the process of shifting coverage under my state insurance). I do not have to pay copays with every appointment, but I do with medicines. Most tests are covered so no out-of-pocket. My prescriptions cost me about $1,300 a year, and there's a number of over the counter supplements/etc. that I take at my doctor's recommendation that amount to several hundred more dollars a year.

Can I ask what co pays are?
I keep hearing the term from Americans, but I’m afraid I’m not sure what it means

 

[PureX]

Can I ask what co pays are?
I keep hearing the term from Americans, but I’m afraid I’m not sure what it means

They vary depending on the policy you buy. Lower monthly premiums tend to have higher out of pocket "co-pays" when you use services. It's like gambling on your health. If you think you'll stay relatively healthy and use few services, you might buy a policy with lower monthly premiums but higher co-pays because you think you won't have to pay them, often. But if you know you're going to have to use medical services or drugs more often, then you'll want to pay a higher monthly premium so you can get lower out of pocket co-pays. A typical co-pay for me is between $15 and $35 to visit a doctor, and $3 to $15 for a single monthly prescription (depending on what it is).

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Can I ask what co pays are?
I keep hearing the term from Americans, but I’m afraid I’m not sure what it means

^^^See Purex's answer above. Does that clear things up?

 

[SomeRandom]

^^^See Purex's answer above. Does that clear things up?

Yes thank you both!

Also can I just say, American Health Insurance sounds like a straight up scam!

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Yes thank you both!

Also can I just say, American Health Insurance sounds like a straight up scam!

yeah, pretty much...

 

[PureX]

Yes thank you both!

Also can I just say, American Health Insurance sounds like a straight up scam!

Of course it is. The whole purpose of government in the U.S., now, is to funnel money into the coffers of the wealthy elites and business conglomerates that pay for all their political campaigns, retirement jobs, family members high salary do-nothing jobs, trips, and other perks that are basically legalized bribery. It's all about bilking the people out of as much money as they can. It's why we pay twice what everyone else in the world pays for their health care, and we get crappy, spotty health care for it.

The weird thing is that Americans are so afraid that their do-nothing neighbor down the street is getting something for nothing at their expense, that they keep voting against their own best interests when it comes to health care and other public services. Allowing the real thieves to just keep on stealing with impunity.

 

[SomeRandom]

Of course it is. The whole purpose of government in the U.S., now, is to funnel money into the coffers of the wealthy elites and business conglomerates that pay for all their political campaigns, retirement jobs, family members high salary do-nothing jobs, trips, and other perks that are basically legalized bribery. It's all about bilking the people out of as much money as they can. It's why we pay twice what everyone else in the world pays for their health care, and we get crappy, spotty health care for it.

The weird thing is that Americans are so afraid that their do-nothing neighbor down the street is getting something for nothing at their expense, that they keep voting against their own best interests when it comes to health care and other public services. Allowing the real thieves to just keep on stealing with impunity.

Indeed it saddens me to see that happening again and again to Americans.

We’re in danger of losing Bulk Billing since the price rises of everything have caused fewer places to offer it. (Bulk billing is what allows us to not have to pay to see the doctor. Instead the cost is forwarded to and then paid by the government using the taxes. Allowing public run practices to make a living.)
Though most doctors here seemingly favours having public systems for those who can’t afford it. Since the idea of a person avoiding a visit due to cost is seen as terrible. Or so they claim
Might even be a talking point next election
(More government funding for bulk billing.)
I mean I sincerely doubt the public would allow the government to take that away, really. Indeed there’d be a massive uproar
But it has been a constant threat looming in the background all the same

 

[PureX]

Indeed it saddens me to see that happening again and again to Americans.

We’re in danger of losing Bulk Billing since the price rises of everything have caused fewer places to offer it. (Bulk billing is what allows us to not have to pay to see the doctor. Instead the cost is forwarded to and then paid by the government using the taxes. Allowing public run practices to make a living.)
Though most doctors here seemingly favours having public systems for those who can’t afford it. Since the idea of a person avoiding a visit due to cost is seen as terrible. Or so they claim
Might even be a talking point next election
(More government funding for bulk billing.)
I mean I sincerely doubt the public would allow the government to take that away, really. Indeed there’d be a massive uproar
But it has been a constant threat looming in the background all the same

The greed never sleeps. Every nation that has successfully implemented a national health care system has realized that it has to find a way to stop price-gouging. That's how they keep the costs down in what is essentially a monopoly (pay or die) market. But those price caps (bulk billing as you all it) cuts directly into the profits of the capital investors, and they don't like it. So they'll do anything they can to stop it.

Here in the U.S. even the mention of ANY sort of price caps will bring on a massive fight from the capitalist owned media, politicians, and propagandists. It will be labeled "communism" and "insane government over-reach" and the spawn of satan himself. So I am sure they are going to do in your country whatever they can to chip away at whatever means your country uses to cap prices. And unfortunately, people are stupid, and easily turned against each other. So beware of the lies and blame-shifting that intends to turn the people against each other. If it's worked so well here, it can work, there.